Mark Bittman

Mark Bittman is an acclaimed author, chef, and journalist whose passion for food has earned him international recognition. Throughout his career, Bittman has published over 20 books, which have consistently achieved both critical and commercial success. He is perhaps best known for his work in the culinary world, helming numerous television shows and writing for the New York Times. But Bittman's accomplishments stretch beyond the kitchen, and his remarkable books on food, nutrition, and lifestyle have led to some of the most revolutionary dietary initiatives over the past decade.

Bittman's rise to culinary fame started in 1998. After working as a reporter and editorial director at the alternative newspaper The Village Voice, Bittman used his newfound skills as an experienced food writer to start a cooking column for the New York Times. The column, called ‘The Minimalist,’ provided readers with simple recipes that anyone could make. Before long, Bittman became a household name in the food world, and his column was syndicated around the globe. In 2000, Bittman published his first cookbook, The Best Recipes in the World, which was an instant success. It was followed by three more in quick succession: The Best of The Minimalist, Mark Bittman's Quick and Easy Recipes and How to Cook Everything.

Bittman's breakouts into the public eye led to appearances on television programs such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, and the Quality Channel's Food 911. He also eventually wrote his popular ‘Eat It’ column for the New York Times Magazine, which served as a precursor to his exit from the publication in 2011.

Throughout his tenure at the Times, Bittman continued to publish additional books advocating for a healthier lifestyle. His New York Times Best-Selling book How To Cook Everything Vegetarian—published in 2003—was acclaimed for its simple recipes and commitment to educating its readers about nutrition, budget-friendly cooking, and environmental preservation. He followed it up with The Food Matters Cookbook and VB6 (which stands for Vegan Before 6). The latter book detailed Bittman's lifestyle change, in which he committed to eating a vegan diet during his meals before 6PM. This diet, which has become popularized in the media, emphasizes local and seasonal produce, lean proteins, and nutrient dense foods.

In 2009, Bittman co-authored the highly acclaimed book Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating with a Preface by Oscar-winning actor, activist, and author Michael Pollan. With a mission to change the way the world views food, the book was praised for its comprehensive guide to eating right. In subsequent years, he published several other books on food, health, and nutrition, including The Food Matters Cookbook, Mark Bittman’s Kitchen Matrix, and The VB6 Cookbook.

In 2016, Bittman embarked on a new project that focused on his passion for the environment. Bittman co-authored the book Climate Change: What Everyone Needs to Know with environmental scientist Dr. Joseph Romm. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the issue of climate change and highlights actionable steps readers can take to help slow the effects of global warming.

Today, Bittman resides in Connecticut and continues to write for the New York Times. He is also the host of the popular web series KBITZ Kitchen Basics, which has become a go-to source for home cooks looking to learn the basics of cooking. With his unique combination of cooking knowledge and recipes, Mark Bittman has emerged as an inspiring authority on food and nutrition throughout his long and successful career.